Incumbents lose across board in Fox Lake

FOX LAKE – All five incumbents on the ballot in Fox Lake were defeated Tuesday evening as voters swept in the party headed by village president challenger Donny Schmit.

Schmit, who is currently a trustee, defeated incumbent Village President Ed Bender in a 1,099 to 611 vote, according to preliminary numbers, which do not include provisional and late absentee ballots.

Bender – and the four other incumbents up this year – made up the Focused on Fox Lake Party. Bender served as village president for one term and spent two terms before that as a village trustee.

Schmit decided to run after Bender cast the deciding vote, approving a sales-tax rebate of up to $150,000 for Fox Lake’s 13th gas station. He pointed to that, his slate's emphasis on open government, and concern over a hotel at Lakefront Park,

Denike Warden won the village clerk seat, 1,032 to 639, beating incumbent Kimberly Mate, who was appointed to the position in March 2012.